Crispy & Chewy Kimchi Pancake (Kimchi Jeon)
How to Make Crispy Kimchi Pancake: The Perfect Batter Ratio with Fried Flour and All-Purpose Flour
Learn the secret to making incredibly crispy kimchi pancakes! This recipe uses a balanced mix of fried flour and all-purpose flour for a delightful crunchy exterior and a tender interior. Follow these detailed steps for a restaurant-quality kimchi jeon at home.
Batter Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup fried flour (tempura flour)
- 2.5 cups cold water (2 cups + 1/2 cup)
- 2 cups chopped aged kimchi
- 2 fish cakes (square type)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of whole wheat flour and 1 cup of fried flour. Gradually pour in 2.5 cups of cold water while whisking or stirring until you achieve a smooth batter with no lumps. Ensure the consistency is even.
Step 2
Add 2 cups of finely chopped aged kimchi to the batter. Mix well to ensure the kimchi is evenly distributed throughout the batter. The fermented flavor of the kimchi will enhance the pancake.
Step 3
For a delightfully chewy texture, thinly slice 2 fish cakes. (Tip: If sliced too thinly, the chewy texture might be lost. Consider slicing them a bit thicker, similar to how they are cut for tteokbokki, for a more pronounced chewiness.) Incorporate the sliced fish cakes into the batter and mix thoroughly to create your kimchi pancake batter.
Step 4
Ladle a generous portion of the batter onto a preheated pan. Ensure you use enough cooking oil to generously coat the pan; the oil should be hot enough for a ‘deep-frying’ effect. Spread the batter thinly and evenly across the pan.
Step 5
Once the edges of the kimchi pancake turn golden brown and you see spots cooking in the center, it’s time to flip. Gently check the edges to ensure they are firm enough not to break when flipped.
Step 6
After flipping the pancake, gently press down on the center with a spatula to ensure it cooks evenly. For an extra crispy finish, add a little more cooking oil around the edges of the pan as it fries. Continue to cook until both sides are golden brown and wonderfully crispy.
